Last Saturday, November 27th, Study Gold Coast hosted the 2021 Gold Coast Student Excellence Awards.
The awards recognise and acknowledge outstanding students and their positive impact and contributions within the community and the Gold Coast.
This year’s event offered attendees an escape to a ‘Chic Circus’ themed precinct, Live Music Performance by Funk’ n’ Stuff, and a 3-course dinner inspired by the Global Street Food Scene at HOTA, Home Of The Arts on the Gold Coast.
The award categories were:
EXCELLENCE IN ENHANCING OUR COMMUNITIES
Recognises a Gold Coast student who has consistently demonstrated through their work experience, volunteering and/or community engagement a passion for enhancing the broader Gold Coast community.
EXCELLENCE IN PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT
Recognises a Gold Coast student who has consistently engaged in initiatives or programs that aim to spread awareness on the importance of protecting our beautiful beaches, marine environment, and hinterland.
EXCELLENCE IN CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY
Recognises a Gold Coast student who has advocated and championed the values of embracing diversity in varied forms within our community.
EXCELLENCE IN PEER TO PEER SUPPORT
Recognises a Gold Coast student who has consistently given their time in mental health & wellbeing, academic support or similar towards other fellow students.
EXCELLENCE IN FOSTERING CREATIVE ARTS
Recognises a Gold Coast student who has mastered a particular art form and made a significant contribution to the vibrant arts community on the Gold Coast.
WINNER: ANEEZ ANVER – EXCELLENCE IN PEER TO PEER SUPPORT
Embracing many student roles, Aneez is a board member of Griffith University’s Student Guild; Former Director of Events for the Gold Coast Association of Postgraduates (GCAP); and a Student Advisory Board Member for Study Gold Coast. This year Aneez directly supported over 6000 students by organising Stress Less Week, #RUOK Day and World Mental Health Day. As a result, he was bestowed with the Best Volunteer Award chosen by his peers.
Aneez played a pivotal role in bringing the Vygo App into Griffith University, allowing students to interact with each other and their tutors while also acting as a platform for international students to contact support workers who can then redirect them to mental health, emergency accommodation and other wellbeing services. Aneez also organised a Careers and Employability Workshop, which saw over 450 students seek help building their resumes to become job-ready. As a senior buddy in the Griffith Mates Program, Aneez helps newly arrived international students transition to campus as a tour facilitator and through academic support.
Read more about the Gold Coast Student Excellence Award here.
